INTERNET golfing star Isabelle Shee is hoping fans of her fashion avoid a hole in one.
The ‘Sock Girl’ was “kicked out of and chastised” by country golf club’s due to her short skirts and knee-high accessories – but is now happy to sell her sole with an audacious new range of lower leg-wear.
Isabelle Shee, who played professional tournaments as an amateur, has stuck to her look and her principles
Despite giving up playing tournaments in 2017, Isabelle Shee still has golf near the top of her priorities
Californian Isabelle Shee has praised current professional players Paige Spiranac and Tisha Abrea for attracting more interest to golf
Like sports-people around the world, Isabelle Shee has stayed in shape during the pandemic – with swing work and yoga
The 28-year-old has been crossing the tees and spotting the thighs on some tradition-busting socks for her sports-gear company Inside Story Golf.
Shee, who has 342,000 Instagram followers, “diverted some manufacturing” towards eco-friendly masks and loungewear during the coronavirus pandemic.
Of her treatment from the golfing old-guard, she said: “My experience has been interesting, to say the least.
“I definitely am a more controversial golf figure as I don’t stick to the traditional wardrobe.
“I have been stared at, kicked out of country clubs for and chastised for wearing shorter skirts and long socks.
I am very thankful for golf figures changing the game, such as Paige Spiranac and Tisha Abrea. These women show a fun side of golf.
Isabelle Shee
“For me, I love socks because in a world where it can be a bit conservative, such as at work or the golf course, socks can be one of the only accessories that can show a bit of flare and personality.”
And having played pro tournaments herself as a talented amateur – until quitting competitive action three years ago – she is glad a few current professionals are shaking the sport up.
Shee added: “I am very thankful for some golf figures who are changing the game, such as Paige Spiranac and Tisha Abrea.
“These women show a fun side of golf and in my opinion, are truly growing the game by encouraging non golfers to join this magnificent game.”
Spiranac was named the “Sexiest Woman Alive” by Maxim Magazine in 2022.
Californian Shee, who earned her pseudonym by wearing long socks from the age 13, even claims her sporting performance suffers if she feels insecure over how she looks.
Californian Isabelle Shee quickly earned her ‘Sock Girl’ pseudonym – by wearing knee-high socks as a young player
Appearance is still crucial for Isabelle Shee, who says it can affect her confidence on the golf course
Paige Spiranac has helped bring more fans to golf with her ‘fun’ attitude, says Isabelle Shee
Tisha Alyn was also singled out by Isabelle Shee for broadening golf’s audience
She explained: “There are days when I miss my alarm and have to rush to my tee time, make-up half done and clothes not matching, and will play absolutely awful solely because I wasn’t confident with my appearance.
“The truth was, nobody could tell the difference with my appearance except myself but my uncertainty was easily translated into my golf game.
“I definitely think that it is tougher for women when it comes to image.
“However, I don’t think it is unfair because sometimes it is self-induced as we tend to be harder on ourselves when it comes to our appearance compared to men.
“Looking stylish is very important to me in sport.”
WHAT COLOUR FOR THE GREEN?
Isabelle Shee always has a mood awakening when choosing her sporting colours.
She insists: “It is definitely a must for players to feel confident in how they look when playing.
“When I used to compete, I would wear different colour socks depending on my mood.
“There are spiritual meanings. For example, white is the colour for faith, black for strength, red for good fortune.
“The philosophy is the same for all walks of life, when we feel that we look good, we are most confident and it applies crucially in golf.”
Isabelle Shee believes golfers can use the lockdown to check and even improve technique by watching themselves in the mirror
Some country clubs declined to let Isabelle Shee play because of the way she dressed
Isabelle Shee can drink to success off the greens after becoming an internet hit
This style of golfing fashion upset some traditionalists but Isabelle Shee is happy to keep playing by her own fashion rules